MSI GP72VR Leopard Pro

Introduction, Design, Features

Why settle for 30 when we can have 60? Why settle for 60 when we can have 120?

We’re talking, of course, about support rates for gaming laptops. Thirty frames per second is a zodiacally supposed smallest or threshold for well-spoken gameplay, maybe since it matches a 30Hz modernise rate (redrawing a picture 30 times per second) of an aged cathode-ray TV set.

In a final year or two, however, faster graphics cards have done critical gamers fire for a satin-smooth demeanour of 60fps, squeezing all we can see out of a 60Hz modernise of many cover screens. It’s a genuine plea for a tellurian eye to detect any stumble or flutter during 60fps, but, inevitably, a small yet flourishing series of gaming rigs currently exaggerate 120Hz displays means to keep adult with a quickest cards. The MSI GP72VR Leopard Pro seen here is one of them—and during $1,599, it’s usually one C-note above a roof for Computer Shopper’s renouned Cheap Gaming Laptops feature.

Actually, a MSI’s 120Hz quarrel is arguably too many shade for a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics. As you’ll see in a gaming exam results, unless we like personification games with a picture peculiarity and fact incited almost down, you’re some-more expected to see support rates north of 60fps from GTX 1070 and 1080 machines. But a rapid-refresh arrangement is a good thing to have. When we sampled Tom Clancy’s The Division with vsync (vertical sync) incited off to maximize support rate, a Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro suffered from manifest shade tearing. The Leopard Pro was as well-spoken as a baby’s, er, trigger finger.

And a rest of a system’s apparatus list is entirely competitive. The CPU is a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ that dominates a midpriced gaming cover segment. Sixteen gigabytes of DDR4 memory join a 512GB PCI Express solid-state expostulate (the specs on MSI’s Web site also list a 1TB tough drive, yet a exam unit—formally named a GP72VR 7RFX-473US—has none). The 17.3-inch shade offers full HD (1,920×1,080) resolution. The SteelSeries keyboard is plenty and comfortable.

The Leopard Pro doesn’t blow divided a competition; compared to a abovementioned Acer, that has a same processor and graphics, it was a integrate of frames per second faster with some games, a integrate slower with others. Hardcore gamers who can find a GeForce GTX 1070 supply for about a same income will be tempted to burst that approach instead, regardless of shade speed. But if you’re looking for a full-sized, VR-ready value, a MSI is good value a look.

Alienware 17 R4—1.2 by 16.7 by 13.1 inches and 9.7 pounds.) Visually, it’s a requisite black slab, finished with a brushed aluminum lid and palm rest and cosmetic bottom. Shallow curves on possibly side of a chrome MSI and red dragon defense logos yield a bit of flair.

Opening a lid reveals another MSI trademark centered next a screen, that has copiousness of black bezel all around. A Webcam centered above a screen—which can be disabled, safeguarding we from intensity Peeping Toms, by dire Fn+F6—captures splendid and pointy if somewhat loud images.

The Leopard Pro does not have a Thunderbolt 3 port, yet differently can make all of a connectors we competence want. On a laptop’s left side, you’ll find a close slot; an Ethernet port; dual USB 3.0 ports; HDMI and mini DisplayPort video outputs; a USB-C port; and headphone and microphone jacks.

The right corner binds an SD label reader, a USB 2.0 port, a CD/DVD burner, and a connector for a AC adapter brick. Bluetooth and 802.11ac Wi-Fi take caring of wireless communications.

Features

We have a integrate of complaints about a MSI’s keyboard layout: First, notwithstanding approximately an hactare of space in a palm rest, a inverted-T cursor arrows aren’t changed divided or segregated from a primary keys as we prefer. Second, a Delete pivotal is tiny, partial of a tip quarrel that includes Page Up and Page Down. There aren’t dedicated Home and End keys, yet there’s a dedicated Insert key—when was a final time anybody used Insert? A decade ago?

Razzle-dazzlers competence also dispute that a keyboard’s RGB backlighting can’t be customized pivotal by pivotal as with some Razer laptops, yet we’re calm that it can be divided into 3 tone zones with special effects such as respirating and call illumination. Nor are there programmable macro keys, as on Aorus laptops, for environment adult gaming shortcuts.

On a certain side, a keyboard offers a sharp-witted typing feel, with plenty transport and poignant feedback. We were cruising during nearby limit speed with usually a small practice. The hold pad felt somewhat sluggish, as if it had too many attrition for discerning moves around a screen, yet responded to taps and clicks accurately.

Four speakers furnish sound that’s quieter than we expected—it’ll fill a room, yet not clap a windows—and brief on sepulchral bass, yet full and rich, with accurate instrumentals, frail vocals, and picturesque diversion effects and explosions. Supplied Nahimic 2 program lets we tweak audio output, generally for faux-surround-sound headphone use.

The GP72VR’s shade is a highlight—you won’t be sitting in front of it saying, “Wow! One hundred and twenty hertz!”, yet we competence say, “Wow! That looks great!” The 1080p arrangement offers clear colors in games and videos alike, with pointy sum and high contrast. Even Word and PowerPoint looked as if they’d put on their Sunday best. Viewing angles are broad, and liughtness is excellent as prolonged as we hang to a tip dual or 3 backlight settings.

MSI backs a Leopard Pro with a one-year warranty. While a association contributes a integrate of utilities (and a pop-up-happy 60-day Norton Security trial), many of a bloatware is Microsoft’s (Candy Crush Soda Saga, Sling, Mar of Empires).